University of Wisconsin might receive more legislative power and general autonomy if Gov. Scott Walker’s considerations to split it from the UW System become reality.
The concept would be a part of the 2015-17 budget plan, which is to be introduced Feb. 3. The last budget in 2011 contained such a proposal but ultimately failed and led to the departure of former UW Chancellor Biddy Martin. Professor Barry Burden in the UW political science department said it is unclear what exactly the proposal would entail at this point.
“We don’t know whether it would mean really separating UW from the system or whether it would just mean a new set of rules or requirements for Madison versus the other campuses,” Burden said.
Burden said one possibility is UW would become a public authority model, much like what happened with the UW-Hospital in 2011. Prior to 2011, the hospital was much like any other government agency.
Changing to a public authority model meant the hospital gained non-profit status but still receives some public funds. This gives it more freedom in things like hiring and retirement, Burden said. Other states have given this kind of status to their flagship universities, including Virginia, Michigan and Texas.
“It wouldn’t be unprecedented,” Burden said.
Burden said a complete decomposition of the UW System is possible, but unlikely. Before the system merger in 1971, there were two state systems in the state. Going back to this model will mostly likely not happen, Burden said.
“At this point it’s hard to know what will happen for tuition rates or anything else. This is a conversation that’s been happening for a while, especially as long as Walker’s been governor,” Burden said.
Within UW administration, officials maintain that conversations about the system split are only focused on the whole system and the state, not UW-Madison and the UW system.
“There are no separate conversations with UW-Madison,” Chancellor Rebecca Blank said to The Badger Herald. “The system is negotiating with the governor about the budget. There is no discussion about splitting Madison off. I do not know where those comments are coming from, they are not coming anywhere from here in Bascom Hall.”
Even with the budget plan not yet being released, student leaders on campus have already begun to express their opinions about the system split, whether it be from the state or UW from the system.
Gen Carter, chair of Associated Students of Madison’s Student Council, said rumors regarding either version of a UW system split would negatively affect the student body. She said a system split would prevent UW from collaborating with other system schools, receiving funding from the state and operating under shared governance practices.
In the light of possible budget cuts to UW, College Republicans eye efficiency as a path to dealing with the prospect of operating a university with less. “The problem with higher education in Wisconsin is the fact that we have so many schools that try to specialize in everything,” College Republicans President Courtney Mullen said. “If we had budget cuts, we [might want to make] programs more specialized at certain UW schools.”
Alex Schultz, a spokesperson from College Democrats, expressed his concern over any possibility of a split. “We could definitely see tuition costs skyrocketing which would only allow those who have the money to attend here being able to do so,” he said.
